vezrity's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
winyeemichelle's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Actual rating: 3.5/5
The Flames is a mesmerising debut novel from Sophie Haydock. Set in the 1900’s, we journey through the lives of four women that were muses and more to Egon Schiele, the controversial artist. Through the lens of Adele, Gertrude, Vally and Edith, we are transported to Vienna at the dawn of the 20th century.
The opening of The Flames is a little slow and felt almost awkward to me, but it picks up once we unpick the threads of Schiele’s muses. Historical facts are woven with glorious, dazzling fiction, conjuring a picture of an opulent city against more humble beginnings. Each of the four women hold intricate stories of their own, and Haydock brilliantly brings to life what they may have been like, what they felt during Schiele’s time, and how they influenced Egon and his art.
Although I knew nothing of Egon Schiele before, this novel has captured my interest into his world and I’m desperate to get on with some intense research. It’s a gorgeous little historical fiction that centres muses, not the famed.
Actual rating: 3.5/5
The Flames is a mesmerising debut novel from Sophie Haydock. Set in the 1900’s, we journey through the lives of four women that were muses and more to Egon Schiele, the controversial artist. Through the lens of Adele, Gertrude, Vally and Edith, we are transported to Vienna at the dawn of the 20th century.
The opening of The Flames is a little slow and felt almost awkward to me, but it picks up once we unpick the threads of Schiele’s muses. Historical facts are woven with glorious, dazzling fiction, conjuring a picture of an opulent city against more humble beginnings. Each of the four women hold intricate stories of their own, and Haydock brilliantly brings to life what they may have been like, what they felt during Schiele’s time, and how they influenced Egon and his art.
Although I knew nothing of Egon Schiele before, this novel has captured my interest into his world and I’m desperate to get on with some intense research. It’s a gorgeous little historical fiction that centres muses, not the famed.
maddiebisek's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
tcull3n's review
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
inkstutter's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
thesaltybrunette's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0